ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

GULF OF MEXICO

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR A REVIEW OF A FEDERAL AGENCY’S CONSISTENCY DETERMINATION FOR A PROPOSED FEDERAL ACTION
PUBLIC NOTICE - 591

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management hereby gives notice that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has requested, in accordance with Title 15 C.F.R. 930 Subpart C, review of a proposed federal action pursuant to ADEM Administrative Code division 335-8.

BOEM proposes Gulf of Mexico Region-wide Oil and Gas Lease Sale No. 256 (Sale 256) to be held August 19, 2020, tentatively.  Sale 256 includes all available unleased blocks in the Western Planning Area, Central Planning Area, and a small portion of the Eastern Planning Area not subject to Congressional moratorium.  Sale 256 does have the exception of whole blocks and portions of blocks deferred by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (GOMESA) and blocks that are adjacent to or beyond the United States Exclusive Economic Zone in the area known as the northern portion of the Eastern Gap. In addition, whole blocks and partial blocks within the current boundary of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary are excluded. The Bureau has determined that Sale 256 is consistent to the maximum extent practicable with the enforceable policies of the Alabama Coastal Area Management Program (ACAMP).

Any person wishing to make comments or provide additional information relative to the proposed activity’s consistency with the ACAMP must submit such comments or information by letter or by email to ADEM at the address below within fifteen (15) calendar days following the publication date of this notice. Only those comments, which address issues within the Department’s scope of authority, can be considered. All correspondence regarding this proposal should reference application number ACAMP-2020-176.

J. Scott Brown, Chief
Mobile Branch Office
Alabama Department of Environmental Management
3664 Dauphin Street, Suite B
Mobile, Alabama 36608-1211
Coastal@adem.alabama.gov

Copies of all information submitted are available for public inspection at the ADEM office located at the above address Monday – Friday (except legal holidays), 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Arrangements for copying should be made in advance. This Public Notice is available on the internet at http://adem.alabama.gov/newsEvents/publicNotices.cnt. The ADEM Division 335-8 rules are available on the internet at adem.alabama.gov.

After consideration of all written comments and consideration of the requirements of the Alabama Coastal Area Management Act and ADEM Coastal Program rules, the Department will make a final determination.  The Department’s determination, associated documents and all comments received during the public comment period will be available for inspection at the ADEM office located at the above address during normal working hours.  Notice of the final permit decision will be sent to any person who requests such notice, in writing, during this comment period.

Notice is hereby given this 18th day of March, 2020, by authorization of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

Nondiscrimination Statement: The Department does not discriminate because of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in the administration of its programs.